January NUFF Forum: “College Town – What? Where? Why?”

Information about a significant new plan for Fullerton’s east side was shared at the recent NUFF forum on Monday, January 25th, at the Library in our regular location, the Osborne Memorial Room.

Change and design are never easy; some things are lost while others are gained. As Fullerton grows and gradually changes, the City guides development through plans designed to promote orderly growth, adherence to laws and regulations, and respect for the city’s heritage as well as the interests and needs of the residents. Changes to parts of the City are guided by the General Plan and by Specific Plans, all of which are created over time and with consideration of many inputs.

Due to needs for increased enrollments, traffic mitigation, and housing issues, the City and the universities have been reviewing ways to enhance the area south of these colleges; the area is roughly bordered by Nutwood, Chapman, State College and the 57 Freeway.

At the NUFF forum on January 25th, Karen Haluza, Director of Community Development, Planning Project Manager Heather Allen and representatives from the universities explained the details of the proposed CollegeTown Specific Plan and took questions from the audience following their presentation.

In the original “College Town” plan, City staff had developed a Specific Plan for the area, which was subsequently formally taken up and reviewed by the City of Fullerton Planning Commission in February. If it had been implemented as proposed, the “Collegetown” plan would have a substantial impact on the area around the CSUF campus. However, based in part on community input at that meeteing, the Collegetown Specific Plan was ultimately not approved as drafted. Planning staff and the Commission plan to revisit the matter at a later date.